Drip chamber with integrated optics

ABSTRACT

A drip chamber for an infusion tube that includes a first end arranged to receive a drip tube, a second end including an exit port, at least one wall connecting the first and second ends, a space enclosed by the first and second ends and the at least one wall, and first and second lenses each directly fixed to said at least one wall.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of and claims 35 USC 120priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/872,300 filed Oct. 1,2015, which is also a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/829,182 filed Mar. 14, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.9,234,850, which is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a rectangular drip chamber for aninfusion tube with integrated optics, in particular, lenses integratedonto one or more walls of the drip chamber. The present disclosurerelates to an optical imaging system including the rectangular dripchamber for the infusion tube with integrated optics.

BACKGROUND

It is known to use lenses, separate from a cylindrical drip chamber, aspart of an optical imaging system for an infusion tube. Source light andimaging light must pass through the cylindrical wall of the drip chamberwhen entering and exiting the drip chamber, respectively, greatlycomplicating the optical design of both the illumination and imagingsub-systems (lenses, image sensors etc.).

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a dripchamber for an infusion tube, including: a first end arranged to receivea drip tube; a second end including an exit port; at least one wallconnecting the first and second ends; a space enclosed by the first andsecond ends and the at least one wall; and at least one lens integral tothe at least one wall or directly fixed to the at least one wall.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an opticalimaging system for use with an infusion device, including: at least onelight source for emitting first light; a drip chamber including at leastone wall connecting first and second ends of the drip chamber and aspace at least partially enclosed by the at least one wall and the firstand second ends; and at least one lens integral to the at least one wallor directly fixed to the at least one wall, the at least one lensarranged to: transmit the first light to the space or receive the firstlight transmitted through the space. The imaging system includes anoptics system including at least one image sensor for receiving thefirst light from the at least one lens and transmitting datacharacterizing the first light received from the at least one lens; andat least one specially programmed processor configured to generate,using the data, at least one image of the space.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a dripchamber for an infusion tube, including: a first end arranged to receivea drip tube; a second end including an exit port; and first, second,third, and fourth walls connecting the first and second ends. In across-section orthogonal to a longitudinal axis for the drip tube, thefirst, second, third, and fourth walls form a rectangle enclosing aspace.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method offorming a drip chamber for an infusion tube, including: forming a firstend arranged to receive a drip tube; forming a second end including anexit port; connecting the first and second ends with at least one wall;enclosing a space with the first and second ends and the at least onewall; and integrating at least one lens into the at least one wall; ordirectly fixing at least one lens to the at least one wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which correspondingreference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an optical imaging system with arectangular drip chamber;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of an optical imaging system with asquare drip chamber;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an optical imaging system with a dripchamber including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of an optical imaging system with a dripchamber including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an optical imaging system with a dripchamber including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of an optical imaging system including atleast one integrated or directly fixed lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements of the disclosure. It is to be understood that thedisclosure as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular methodology, materials and modifications described and assuch may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only,and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. It should be understood thatany methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in the practice or testing of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of optical imaging system 100 withrectangular drip chamber 102.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of optical imaging system 100 with squaredrip chamber 102. The following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 1 and2. Chamber 102 includes end 104 arranged to receive drip tube 106 andend 108 including exit port 110. Chamber 102 includes walls 112, 114,116, and 118 connecting ends 104 and 108 and enclosing space 120. In across-section orthogonal to longitudinal axis LA for drip tube 106, forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, walls 112, 114, 116, and 118 form arectangle enclosing space 120. In an example embodiment, the rectangleis a square.

System 100 includes light source 122, and optics system 123 with atleast one lens 124 and at least one image sensor 126. In the example ofFIGS. 1 and 2, system 123 includes lenses 124A and 124B and imagesensors 126A and 126B. The light source is arranged to emit light 130,which is transmitted through space 120 and received by lenses 124A and124B. Lenses 124A and 124B focus and transmit the light to image sensors126A and 126B, respectively. Image sensors 126A and 126B receive thelight from lenses 124A and 124B, respectively, and generate and transmitdata 132 characterizing the light received from lenses 124A and 124B. Inthe example of FIGS. 1 and 2, sensors 126A and 126B generate andtransmit data 132A and 132B, respectively. Memory element 133 isconfigured to store computer executable instructions 134. Processor 135is configured to execute instructions 134 to generate, using data 132,at least one image 136 of space 120. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2,the processor generates images 136A and 136B of space 120 from data 132Aand 132B, respectively.

By “characterizing,” we mean that the respective data describes, orquantifies, the light, for example, providing parameters enablinggeneration of an image using the respective data. By “emitting light” wemean that the element in questions generates the light. By “transmittedby” we mean that light passes through the element in question, forexample, light emitted by light source 122 passes through space 120.

In an example embodiment, end E1 of drip tube 106 is located in space120 and image 136A includes end E1. Processor 135 is configured toexecute instructions 134 to analyze image 136A to determine if drop 138is pendant at end E1 and to determine time periods 140 in which drop 138is or is not pendant at end E1. Time periods 140 can be used to identifywhen a source of fluid, such as medication bag 141, is empty. In anexample embodiment, image 136A includes an image of drop 138 pendantfrom end E1 and processor 135 is configured to execute instructions 134to calculate volume 142 of the pendant drop 138, for example, for use incontrolling flow through drip chamber 102.

In an example embodiment, meniscus 144 for fluid 146 in drip chamber 102is located in space 120 and is included in image 136B. Processor 135 isconfigured to execute instructions 134 to calculate, from image 136B,position 148 of meniscus 144 within drip chamber 102. Position 148 canbe used to control flow through drip chamber 102, or if meniscus 144 isdetermined to be absent, indicating a possible air-in-the-line faultcondition, flow through drip chamber 102 can be halted.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, two lenses and two image sensors areused. It should be understood that only one or the other of lens/imagesensor pairs 124A/126A or 124B/126B can be used in system 100. It alsoshould be understood that two separate light sources could be used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of optical imaging system 200 with dripchamber 202 including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens.

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of optical imaging system 200 with dripchamber 202 including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens.The following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 3 and 4. Chamber 202includes end 204 arranged to receive drip tube 206 and end 208 includingexit port 210. Chamber 202 includes walls 212, 214, 216, and 218connecting second ends 204 and 208 and enclosing space 220. In across-section orthogonal to longitudinal axis LA for drip tube 206, forexample, as shown in FIG. 4, walls 212, 214, 216, and 218 form arectangle enclosing space 220. In an example embodiment, the rectangleis a square. Drip chamber 202 includes at least one lens 221 integral toat least one of walls 212, 214, 216, or 218 or directly fixed to atleast one of walls 212, 214, 216, or 218, as further described below.

System 200 includes light source 222, and optics system 223 with atleast one lens 224 and at least one image sensor 226. In the example ofFIGS. 3 and 4, system 223 includes lenses 224A and 224B and imagesensors 226A and 226B. The light source is arranged to emit light 230,which is transmitted through space 220 and received by lenses 224A and224B. Lenses 224A and 224B focus and transmit the light to image sensors226A and 226B, respectively. Image sensors 226A and 226B receive thelight from lenses 224A and 224B, respectively, and generate and transmitdata 232 characterizing the light received from lenses 224A and 224B. Inthe example of FIGS. 3 and 4, sensors 226A and 226B generate andtransmit data 232A and 232B, respectively. Memory element 233 isconfigured to store computer executable instructions 234. Processor 235is configured to execute instructions 234 to generate, using data 232,at least one image 236 of space 220. In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4,the processor generates images 236A and 236B of space 220 from data 232Aand 232B, respectively.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, at least one lens 221 is integral to or directly fixedto wall 212 or 216, for example, and performs functions in addition tothose described above. At least one lens 221 is arranged to transmitlight 230 to space 220, or receive light 230 transmitted through space220 and transmit light 230 to lens 224. In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4,lens 221A and 221B are positioned on wall 216 and arranged to receivelight 230 transmitted through space 220 and focus and transmit thereceived light to lens 224A and 224B, respectively.

In an example embodiment, end E1 of drip tube 206 is located in space220 and image 236A includes end E1. Processor 235 is configured toexecute instructions 234 to analyze image 236A to determine if drop 238is pendant at end E1 and to determine time periods 240 in which drop 238is or is not pendant at end E1. Time periods 240 can be used to identifywhen a source of fluid, such as medication bag 241, is empty. In anexample embodiment, image 236A includes an image of drop 238 pendantfrom end E1 and processor 235 is configured to execute instructions 234to calculate volume 242 of the pendant drop 238, for example, for use incontrolling flow through drip chamber 202.

In an example embodiment, meniscus 244 for fluid 246 in drip chamber 202is located in space 220 and is included in image 236B. Processor 235 isconfigured to execute instructions 234 to calculate, from image 236B,position 248 of meniscus 244 within drip chamber 202. Position 248 canbe used to control flow through drip chamber 202, or if meniscus 244 isdetermined to be absent, indicating a possible air-in-the-line faultcondition, flow through drip chamber 202 can be halted.

In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, two lenses 224 and two image sensorsare used. It should be understood that only one or the other oflens/image sensor pairs 224A/226A or 224B/226B can be used in system100. It also should be understood that two separate light sources couldbe used to emit light. In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, lenses 221A and221B are shown; however, it should be understood that drip chamber 202can be equipped only one or the other of lenses 221A or 221B.

In an example embodiment, the portion of the wall to which lenses 221Aand 221B are integral or attached, for example, portions 216A and 216Bof wall 216, are flat. For example, wall 216 includes exterior surface250 with flat portions 216A and 216B and lenses 221A or 221B areintegral to flat portions 216A and 216B or directly fixed to flatportions 216A and 216B. In an example embodiment, walls 212 and 216 areflat, substantially parallel to each other, and face in directions D1and D2, respectively. In an example embodiment, portions 216A and 216Band at least portions of wall 212 aligned with portions 216A and 216B,orthogonal to longitudinal axis LA for the drip chamber, are flat andsubstantially parallel to each other, for example, along longitudinalaxis LA. That is, light 230 passing through lenses 221A and 221B passesthrough flat and substantially parallel portions of wall 212.

Although walls 214 and 218 are shown as flat forming a square with walls212 and 216 in FIG. 4, it should be understood that walls 214 and 218are not required to have any particular shape or to form any particularshape of space 220. It also should be understood that although walls 212and 216 are shown as flat, the portion of wall 216 not includingportions 216A and 216B, and the portions of wall 212 not aligned withportions 216A and 216B orthogonal to longitudinal axis LA, are notrequired to have any particular shape.

It should be understood that lens 221A and/or 221B can be positioned onwall 212, in which case, the above discussion regarding wall 216 andwall 212 with portions 216A and 216B and lenses 221A and 221B isapplicable to wall 212 and wall 216 having the lenses and flat portions.It also should be understood that only one of lenses 221A or 221B can bepositioned on drip chamber 202, either on wall 212 or on wall 216. Thesingle lens 221 can be positioned to transmit light to image the driptube or to transmit light to image the meniscus.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of optical imaging system 300 with dripchamber 302 including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens.

FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of optical imaging system 300 with dripchamber 302 including at least one integrated or directly fixed lens.The following should be viewed in light of FIGS. 5 and 6. Chamber 302includes end 304 arranged to receive drip tube 306 and end 308 includingexit port 310. Chamber 302 includes walls 312, 314, 316, and 318connecting ends 304 and 308 and enclosing space 320. In a cross-sectionorthogonal to longitudinal axis LA for drip tube 306, for example, asshown in FIG. 6, walls 312, 314, 316, and 318 form a rectangle enclosingspace 320. In an example embodiment, the rectangle is a square. Dripchamber 302 includes at least two lenses 321 integral to walls 312 and318, or directly fixed to walls 312 and 318, as further described below.In general, lenses 321 are in pairs (one on side 312 and the other onside 316) aligned with a line orthogonal to axis LA. In FIGS. 5 and 6,two pairs of lenses, 321A/C and 321B/D are shown.

System 300 includes light source 322, and optics system 323 with atleast one lens 324 and at least one image sensor 326. In the example ofFIGS. 5 and 6, system 323 includes lenses 324A and 324B and imagesensors 326A and 326B. The light source is arranged to emit light 330,which is transmitted through space 320 and received by lenses 324A and324B. Lenses 324A and 324B focus and transmit the light to image sensors326A and 326B, respectively. Image sensors 326A and 326B receive thelight from lenses 324A and 324B, respectively, and generate and transmitdata 332 characterizing the light received from lenses 324A and 324B. Inthe example of FIGS. 5 and 6, sensors 326A and 326B generate andtransmit data 332A and 332B, respectively. Memory element 333 isconfigured to store computer executable instructions 334. Processor 335is configured to execute instructions 334 to generate, using data 332,at least one image 336 of space 320. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6,the processor generates images 336A and 336B of space 320 from data 332Aand 332B, respectively.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, lenses 321 are integral to or directly fixed to walls312 and 316 and perform functions in addition to those described above.Pairs of lenses 321 are arranged to transmit light 330 to space 320, andreceive light 330 transmitted through space 320. In the example of FIGS.5 and 6, lens 321A and 321C are arranged to receive light 330 fromsource 322 and transmit light 330 through space 320; and lenses 321B and321D are arranged to receive light 330 transmitted through space 320 andfocus and transmit the received light 320. Thus, lenses 321A and 321Cform a pair (the same light passes through both lenses) and lenses 321Band 321D form a pair (the same light passes through both lenses). Asshown in FIG. 6, axis LA is located between lenses 321A and 321C andlenses 321B and 321D along plane 337 orthogonal to axis LA.

In an example embodiment, end E1 of drip tube 306 is located in space320 and image 336A includes end E1. Processor 335 is configured toexecute instructions 334 to analyze image 336A to determine if drop 338is pendant at end E1 and to determine time periods 340 in which drop 338is or is not pendant at end E1. Time periods 340 can be used to identifywhen a source of fluid, such as medication bag 341, is empty. In anexample embodiment, image 336A includes an image of drop 338 pendantfrom end E1 and processor 335 is configured to execute instructions 334to calculate volume 342 of the pendant drop 338, for example, for use incontrolling flow through drip chamber 302.

In an example embodiment, meniscus 344 for fluid 346 in drip chamber 302is located in space 320 and is included in image 336B. Processor 335 isconfigured to execute instructions 334 to calculate, from image 336B,position 348 of meniscus 344 within drip chamber 302. Position 348 canbe used to control flow through drip chamber 302, or if meniscus 344 isdetermined to be absent, indicating a possible air-in-the-line faultcondition, flow through drip chamber 302 can be halted.

In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, two lenses 324 and two image sensorsare used. It should be understood that only one or the other oflens/image sensor pairs 324A/326A or 324B/326B can be used in system300. It also should be understood that two separate light sources couldbe used to emit light. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 6, lenses 321A-Dare shown; however, it should be understood that drip chamber 302 can beequipped only one or the other of pair of lenses 321A/C or 321B/D.

In an example embodiment, the portions of the walls to which lenses321A-D are integral or attached, for example, portions 312A and 312B ofwall 312, and portions 316A and 316B of wall 316 are flat. For example,walls 312 and 316 include respective exterior surfaces 350 with flatportions 312A and 312B and flat portions 316A and 316B, respectively.Lenses 321A and 321B are integral to portions 312A and 312B or directlyfixed to portions 312A and 312B, respectively; and lenses 321C and 321Dare integral to portions 316A and 316B or directly fixed to portions316A and 316B, respectively. Portions 312A and 316A are substantiallyparallel to each other and portions 312B and 316B are substantiallyparallel to each other. In an example embodiment, walls 312 and 316 areflat and face in directions D1 and D2, respectively. In an exampleembodiment, walls 312 and 316 are flat and substantially parallel toeach other, for example, substantially parallel to longitudinal axis LAfor the drip chamber. Although walls 314 and 318 are shown as flat andforming a square with walls 312 and 316 in FIG. 6, it should beunderstood that walls 314 and 318 are not required to have anyparticular shape or to form any particular shape of space 320. It alsoshould be understood that although walls 312 and 316 are shown as flat,the portions of wall 312 not including portions 312A and 312B, and theportions of wall 316 not including portions 316A and 316B, are notrequired to have any particular shape.

Advantageously, flat walls for drip chamber 102, 202, or 302, forexample, flat walls 112 and 116 for drip chamber 102, eliminate theproblem noted above of source light and imaging light passing through acylindrical wall of a drip chamber when entering and exiting the dripchamber. Thus, the optical design of both an illumination system, forexample, light sources 122, 222, or 322, and an optical system such assystem 123, 223, or 323, including components such as lenses 124, 224,or 324 and/or imagers 126, 226, or 326, can be advantageouslysimplified, reducing complexity and cost of systems 100, 200, and 300.For example, drip chamber 302 with a substantially parallel portions312A/316A and 312B/316B reduces optical aberrations such as distortion,astigmatism, and coma.

Integrally molding lens or lenses 221/321 to drip tubes 206/306, orattaching lens or lenses 221/321 directly to drip tubes 206/306,advantageously enables faster speeds for lens or lenses 221/321, withoutcompromising the performance of lens or lenses 221/321 in other areas.Integrally molding lens or lenses 221/321 to drip tubes 206/306, orattaching lens or lenses 221/321 directly to drip tubes 206/306 alsoreduces the parts count, cost, and complexity of systems 200/300.Further, lens or lenses 221/321 enable a reduction in the distancebetween a backlight such as sources 222/323 and an image sensor such as226/326, advantageously reducing a size of an infusion pump includingdrip chamber 202 or 302.

Installing lens or lenses 221/321 provides an extra degree of freedom inthe design of illumination for system 200/300, for example, enablinggreater control over spatial and angular flux incident on a pendant dropbeing illuminated.

It should be understood that any combination of the drip chamberconfigurations shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 can be used in a single dripchamber. For example, drip chamber 202 or 302 can include lens/sensorpair 221A/224A/226A and lenses/sensor grouping 321B/321D/324B/326B. Forexample, drip chamber 200 or 300 can include lens/sensor grouping221B/224B/226B and lenses/sensor pair 321A/321C/324A/326A.

Light sources 122, 222, and 322 can be different from each other and canbe any light source known in the art, including, but not limited to alight-emitting diode (LED), an array of LEDs, a laser diode, anincandescent lamp, or a fluorescent lamp.

The following provides further detail regarding drip chambers 102, 202,and 302 and/or lenses 221/321. Lenses 221/321 can be any combination of:positive or negative; spherical or aspherical; rotationally symmetric orasymmetric; or cylindrical. Lens or lenses 221/321 can be Fresnellenses. Lens or lenses 221/321 can have a diffractive optical elementinstalled onto them or can be replaced by a diffractive optical element.Drip chamber 202/302 with integral lens or lenses 221/321 can befabricated by injection molding. Drip chamber 202/302 with integral lensor lenses 221/321 can be made from a polymer, such as acrylic,polycarbonate, or polystyrene. A cross-section of drip chambers 102,202, or 302 can be circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, orrectangular with radiused corners.

In an example embodiment, drip chamber 202 or 302 includes installationfeature 252 so that the drip chamber can be installed in an infusionpump in only one (desired) way, for example, so that lens or lenses 221or 321 are properly oriented. In an example embodiment, drip chamber 202or 302 includes an alignment feature to ensure that when installed, anoptical axis of the drip chamber is co-linear with an axis of lens orlenses, such as lens or lenses 221 or 321, and/or the axis of a lightsource such as light source 222 or 322 The installation and alignmentfeatures can be combined.

Lens or lenses 221 or 321 can be partially recessed into the walls ofdrip chamber 202 or 302 so that the overall thickness of the walls arenot significantly increased as the thickest part of lens or lenses 221or 321. Such a configuration can avoid “sinks” and improve the surfacefigure of the lens in question.

In an example embodiment, drip chamber 202 includes installationfeatures, such as features 252A and/or 252B. Features 252A and 252B areused to precisely locate lenses 221A and 221B, respectively, onrespective optical axis. The size, shape, and location of features 252Aand/or 252B are for purposes of illustration only, other sizes, shapes,and locations are possible. The preceding discussion also is applicableto drip chamber 302.

Lens or lenses 221 or 321 can be produced as part of the molding processfor drip chamber 202 or 302, or can be fabricated in separate moldingprocesses and subsequently bonded to chamber 202 or 302. The bonding canbe executed with adhesive or through an ultrasonic or thermal bondingprocess. The respective prescriptions of lens or lenses 221 or 321 canbe different, resulting in different imager magnifications. Thedifferent magnifications can be matched to various configurations ofchamber 202 or 302 to enhance operations such a imaging of drops pendantfrom drip tube 208 or 308. Interlock-like features can be integrallymolded onto drip chamber 202 or 302, which can be sensed by an infusionpump, causing the pump to utilize different calibration flow-rateconstant according to the sensed magnification. A two-dimensional barcode, such as QR code, can be installed onto a surface of drip chamber202 or 302 within the field of view of the imager (but not blocking viewof areas of interest such as drip tube 208, or 308). The code caninclude information regarding drip chamber 202 or 302 such as:manufacturer, date of manufacture, authentication information,magnification, nominal drip rate of a nozzle.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drip chamber for an infusion tube, comprising:a first end arranged to receive a drip tube; a second end including anexit port; at least one wall connecting the first and second ends; aspace enclosed by the first and second ends and the at least one wall;at least one lens being directly fixed to said at least one wall andconfigured for receiving light transmitted through the space andfocusing and transmitting the light to another lens.
 2. The drip chamberof claim 1, further comprising first and second walls, respectively,substantially parallel to each other, wherein said at least one lens isdirectly fixed to only one of the first or second walls.
 3. The dripchamber of claim 1, wherein the at least one wall forms a rectangleenclosing the space in a cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal axisof the drip chamber.
 4. The drip chamber of claim 1, further comprisinga first wall and a second wall, respectively, the first lens is directlyfixed to the first wall and the second lens is directly fixed to thesecond wall.
 5. The drip chamber of claim 1, wherein said at least onelens includes a flat surface and an opposing curved surface.
 6. Anoptical imaging system for use with an infusion device, comprising: atleast one light source for emitting first light; a drip chamberincluding first and second walls connecting first and second ends of thedrip chamber, a space at least partially enclosed by the first andsecond walls and the first and second ends, a drip tube including an endthat is located in the space, and at least one lens, said at least onelens being fixed to one of said first and second walls, said at leastone lens arranged to transmit the first light to the space or receivethe first light transmitted through the space; and an optics systemincluding at least one image sensor for receiving the first light fromsaid at least one lens and transmitting data characterizing the firstlight received from said at least one lens.
 7. The optical imagingsystem of claim 6, wherein the at least one wall includes an exteriorsurface and said at least one lens is directly fixed to the exteriorsurface.
 8. The optical imaging system of claim 6, wherein said at leastone lens includes first and second lenses, the first lens is arranged totransmit the first light to the space and the second lens is arranged toreceive the first light transmitted by the first lens through the spaceand transmit the received first light to the at least one image sensor.9. The optical imaging system of claim 6, wherein a meniscus for fluidin the drip chamber is located in the space and at least one speciallyprogrammed processor is configured to calculate, from the at least oneimage, a position of the meniscus within the drip chamber.
 10. Theoptical imaging system of claim 6, wherein said at least one lensincludes a flat surface and an opposing curved surface.
 11. A dripchamber for an infusion tube, comprising: a first end including a driptube; a second end including an exit port; first, second, third, andfourth walls connecting the first and second ends, wherein, in across-section orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the drip tube, andform a rectangle enclosing a space; a drip tube including an end locatedin the space; and at least one lens being directly fixed to one of saidfirst, second, third and fourth flat portions of said first, second,third and fourth walls.
 12. The drip chamber of claim 11, wherein the atleast one lens includes a flat surface and an opposing curved surface.13. A method of forming a drip chamber for an infusion tube, the methodcomprising: forming a first end arranged to receive a drip tube; forminga second end including an exit port; connecting the first and secondends with at least one wall and enclosing a space with the first andsecond ends and the at least one wall; providing at least one lens; anddirectly fixing said at least one lens to the at least one wall.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising generating at least one image ofthe space, wherein the at least one image includes an image of a droppendant from the end of the drip tube.
 15. The method of claim 14,further comprising calculating a volume of the pendant drop from theimage of the drop pendant.